Gloucestershire County Council - Arle Court Transport Hub Café Concession

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) is seeking to award a concession contract to operate the café area within the Arle Court Transport Hub.

In 2023 construction commenced on Arle Court Transport Hub, creating a vital transportation facility in west Cheltenham. Conveniently located near the A40 in Cheltenham, Arle Court Transport Hub began operation in July 2024.

Arle Court Transport Hub is of strategic importance to the council. The facility plays a key role in reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in Cheltenham. It is also a key element of the current Gloucestershire Local Transport Plan 2020-2041, and to serve the new hub, a concessionaire is required to operate the café area that has been provided within the transport hub.

The facility offers state-of-the-art facilities including: a brand-new multi-storey car park with 860 spaces, bus station, passenger hub, real time passenger information, toilets, including Changing Place and baby change facilities as well as 100 Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCP). Local Bus operators servicing Cheltenham and national coaches operate at the station.

In addition to the multi-storey car park, there is a west car park that has 140 car parking spaces and coach parking facilities, camper van parking, taxi rank and rapid EVCP charging points. The car parks also serves as parking for direct local business employees

Tenure will be by way of a lease arrangement which will attract an annual fee to be paid monthly. The café's construction and size provides a base for a 'panini' type coffee shop offering, hot food preparation is limited to toasting and warming products. The area is of block construction with a serving counter separating the café from the hub. Separate power, water and overhead lighting are provided, with a large preparation/ store room area. The café requires fitting out to the contractor's electrical design and layout requirements which must be submitted with the tender, suitable wall lining materials are available for fitting.

The site provides further income opportunities from vending points. GCC have a cold vending provision that can be replaced as part of the concession, further, there are water, power and drainage services available to add a hot vending machine in the waiting area, adjacent to the cafe. There are shared GCC welfare facilities for staff.

The contract will operate for 10 years with the option to extend by a further 5 years, subject to the contract's terms and conditions in relation to performance and termination events.

The successful concessionaire must provide end-to-end café design and installation of the facilities and operational services including, but not

limited to, design, installation and compliant electrical and extraction works and the provision of hardware in accordance with the lease, customer payments and interfaces and all associated maintenance and café operational activity. The concessionaire must be capable of delivery of all elements and have fully controlled contract management of its supply chain.

GCC's estimated total value of the concession over its maximum possible term takes account of the following factors and opportunities:

Estimated contract value of £6,000,000 to £8,000,000 including anticipated turnover and expanding income opportunities